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Transcriptional factor involved in bone development. Acts as an immediate early BMP-responsive transcriptional activator essential for osteoblast differentiation. Stimulates ALPL promoter activity in a RUNX2-independent manner during osteoblast differentiation. Stimulates SP7 promoter activity during osteoblast differentiation. Promotes cell proliferation by up-regulating MYC promoter activity. Involved as a positive regulator of both chondrogenesis and chondrocyte hypertrophy in the endochondral skeleton. Binds to the homeodomain-response element of the ALPL and SP7 promoter. Binds to the MYC promoter. Requires the 5'-TAATTA-3' consensus sequence for DNA-binding.

This gene encodes a member of a homeobox transcription factor gene family similiar to the Drosophila distal-less gene. The encoded protein may play a role in bone development and fracture healing. Mutation in this gene, which is located in a tail-to-tail configuration with another member of the family on the long arm of chromosome 7, may be associated with split-hand/split-foot malformation. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]